Phi Phi Islands

Phi Phi Don, 4:20pm, internet corner

Arrived in Phi Phi Don this morning. I decided it was time to leave Koh Tao, even though I could stay there forever. The people are amazing, the diving is excellent, and it's someplace that I hope to come back to many times in the future. That said, I wanted to get to the Andamen (remember, I don't have to spell things right, I'm on vacation) side of the world...and I'm still holding out a small hope that I'll somehow be able to see Angkor Wat in Cambodia. That's fading by the day though.

So, yesterday I left Koh Tao on the morning boat; arrived in Samui and flew from Samui to Phuket. I met some Thai dude at the airport (this is about the third time this has happened to me) that took me into Phuket town, helped me find accommodation, a boat ticket, information about diving on Phi Phi, and information about flights from Krabi to Bangkok...all at separate places. It's amazing that these people are so helpful, especially when tipping isn't a common practice here! I stayed at a place in Phuket town that's very very very similar to the place Leonardo DiCaprio stayed in in the movie The Beach. Old rundown room, fan, random people walking all over the place...but there was no map to a secert island, and there was no cleaning lady water washing the electrical outlets. Didn't do much last night - the night before I left Koh Tao I got a migraine and thus was still not feeling great last night. Once again, I digress.

Koh Phi Phi is spectacular. I'm really glad I made it to this coast - the views are definitely much more magnificent than those on the other side; however, that's not to say I like this side better. Just different I suppose. Picture limestone cliffs rising out of the ocean; colorful longtail boats skimming the turqouise water; islands covered with green jungles...that's this area. All the pictures you've probably seen are right on the money. It's amazing.

I spent the day napping and reading on the beach (I just finished book number 9 of the trip. Whoa). Tomorrow I'm going on a snorkeling tour of the island ($20, includes gear, lunch, and an 8 hour adventure). I hope to find some dives to do the following day...there's a boat wreck in this area that I could dive - that would be pretty cool! I also saw a guy wakeboarding in the ocean - definitely will hit that up if I can afford it! So much to do, so little time.

One thing about Phi Phi that's much more tangible than I thought it would be...the tsunami. It's everywhere. People talk about it consistently (which I would totally expect), but the Thai people talk about it with laughter. I don't know how they do it. Always similing, always laughing. I was talking to a woman that works at my guesthouse and she said that she had her own guesthouse, until the tsunami swept it away...and she said all of that with a smile and laughter. I don't know if it's just a way of covering up the loss, but I've seen it with several people. Amazing how resilient a people can be.

The beaches here are amazingly clean, probably because of the tsunami. No rocks, no garbage...just pure clean sand and turquoise water. There is still much rebuilding going on, and from what I've read Phi Phi is supposed to be the next Phuket when they're finished (didn't much like Phuket by the way)...but hopefully it stays like it is now, relatively calm and quiet, for a while. So much nicer with bungalows and palm trees than huge resorts and swimming pools.

One last note - a favor to ask of all of you...found out yesterday that a good friend of mine's mom passed away very unexpectedly and very young (my friend is my age). If you could please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers in the next few weeks, I'd appreciate it.

Love to you all!
Genevieve